Review of Night on Earth (1991) by Marc M — 09 Jan 2011

I have been making a point to slowly see all of Jarmusch's films. My first intro into Jarmusch was through Ghost Dog, a film much later in his career. Like many folks around my age [close to 40], I enjoyed the mixing of martial arts, hip hop, and the urban decay. From there I saw Coffee and Cigarettes followed by The Limits of Control. The former was amusing at points and I liked it for what its idea but it's execution was just so-so. As for Control, I just couldn't get into it. Slow pacing coupled with what I felt was just nonsense, it has been the least liked of Jarmusch's films thus far.

N-O-E had its entertaining moments. I found the opening vignette the most annoying. I just think Winona Ryder was not a good fit for the feel of the film. I liked Armin Mueller-Stahl's performance. It was subdued and funny; Perez and Esposito were just a bit over the top. Benigni was funny, if perverted. Bankolé, who's worked with Jarmusch on a number of films, is solid as always. The last short was the most emotional, though the translation made it a bit to follow along.

Jarmusch is certainly talented, but some times I think he forgets we the audience don't always have access to the details that are locked away in his head.